Rumi's Masnavi - But at the moment of (making) the comparison consider, O thou who hast good insight, their oneness in respect of hazarding their lives;

But at the moment of (making) the comparison consider, O thou who hast good insight, their oneness in respect of hazarding their lives;

لیک در وقت مثال ای خوش‌نظر ** اتحاد از روی جانبازی نگر

For, after all, the courageous man did resemble the lion, (though) he is not like the lion in all points of the definition.

کان دلیر آخر مثال شیر بود ** نیست مثل شیر در جمله‌ی حدود

This abode (the world) does not contain any form (that is) one (with any other form), so that I might show forth to thee a (complete) similitude.

متحد نقشی ندارد این سرا ** تا که مثلی وا نمایم من ترا

Still, I will bring to hand an imperfect comparison, that I may redeem thy mind from confusion.

هم مثال ناقصی دست آورم ** تا ز حیرانی خرد را وا خرم

At night a lamp is placed in every house, in order that by its light they (the inmates) may be delivered from darkness. 425

شب بهر خانه چراغی می‌نهند ** تا به نور آن ز ظلمت می‌رهند

That lamp is (like) this body, its light like the (animal) soul; it requires a wick and this and that.

آن چراغ این تن بود نورش چو جان ** هست محتاج فتیل و این و آن

That lamp with six wicks, namely, these senses, is based entirely upon sleep and food.

آن چراغ شش فتیله‌ی این حواس ** جملگی بر خواب و خور دارد اساس

Without food and sleep it would not live half a moment; nor even with food and sleep does it live either.

بی‌خور و بی‌خواب نزید نیم دم ** با خور و با خواب نزید نیز هم

Without wick and oil it has no duration, and with wick and oil it is also faithless (transient),

بی‌فتیل و روغنش نبود بقا ** با فتیل و روغن او هم بی‌وفا

Inasmuch as its light, (being) related to (secondary) causes, is seeking death: how should it live when bright day is the death of it? 430

زانک نور علتی‌اش مرگ‌جوست ** چون زید که روز روشن مرگ اوست